Wyong Shire: airport or coalmine?

There is conflict over a parcel of land on the New South Wales Central Coast, which has been earmarked for both a regional airport and an underground coal mine.

The airport proposal at Bushell's Ridge is included in Wyong Council's new draft Local Environment Plan but it is also where plans are underway to develop the controversial Wallarah Two coal mine.

There has been mixed political and community reaction over whether an airport is needed in Wyong Shire.

Local Federal MP, Craig Thomson says decisions have to be made over which development would be of most benefit to the region. "One of the things we've always said about the coalmine is that it's not even from an economic point of view, the best use of that land if you're looking at jobs," he said.

"There are a whole range of other developments including an airport, that will bring much more growth in terms of the area and more jobs locally, than a coal mine."

Project Manager of the Wallarah Two mine, Kenny Barry says he is yet to form an opinion on the issue but will review the draft LEP and make a submission to Council.

Mr Barry has confirmed some of the mine's surface facilities would be on the proposed airport site.

He says a regional airport could never get off the ground without support from all tiers of government.

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